Seat belt enforcement

The Turlock Police Department is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 nationally, 61 percent of the 10,647 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 42 percent during the daytime hours. NHTSA statistics show that in 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.

“Our goal is to save more lives, so Turlock PD will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock,” Sgt. Neil Cervenka said.

Total costs of a first time ticket are at least $142, according to the police department.